EastEnders bosses have reportedly signed up Danny Dyer and the rest of the Carter family for another year.

When the Cockney hardman swaggered into Albert Square on Christmas Day 2013 as new Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter, viewing figures for the BBC soap were flagging. One year on and EastEnders’ ratings have rocketed, recently pulling in a massive 12 million viewers for the live episodes that marked its 30th anniversary.

Linda Henry, second from right, as Shirley Carter in EastEnders (BBC)
The Carter family (BBC)

Now Danny-Boy Hatchard, who plays Mick and Linda’s son Lee, has revealed the whole Carter family have been asked to stay on.

He told the Daily Star Sunday: “We’re going to be doing another year. I’m excited about it.

Danny-Boy Hatchard (Ian West/PA)
Danny-Boy Hatchard (Ian West/PA)

“It was a big shame Sam Strike left [his onscreen brother Johnny] – that left a big gap in the family. But we’ve got even closer recently.

“And with another year together it’ll mean we can bring some more drama to the show.”

Danny, 37, and Kellie Bright, 38, who plays his wife Linda, Maddy Hill, 24, who plays their daughter Nancy, and Danny-Boy are all being offered new contracts, according to the newspaper.